Hand pressing steam and sprinkling iron



Jan. 10, 1956 H. MAYKEMPER HAND PRESSING STEAM AND SPRINKLING IRON 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1954 INVENTOR.

Jan. 10, 1956 H. MAYKEMPER HAND PRESSING STEAM AND SPRINKLING IRON 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 6, 1954 \g zzo IN V EN TOR.

United States PatentO HAND PRESSIN G STEAM AND SPRINKLING IRON HenryMaykemper, Eau Claire, Wis. Application August 6, 1954, Serial No.448,366

14 Claims. (Cl. 38--77) The present invention relates to sadirons, andpartic ularly, to an improved electric iron adapted, at the selection ofthe iron user, for use as acontinuous emission steam iron, a controlledforcible emission steam iron, a sprinkling iron and a dry iron.

In my Patent No. 2,615,265, issued October 28, 1952, I have disclosed asteam iron comprising an electrically heated sole plate, an iron housingincluding a water tank disposed above the sole plate in insulatedrelation thereto, and steam generator means disposed in heat conductingrelation to the sole plate and extending into the water tank. The steamgenerator is adapted to conduct a limited amount of heat from the soleplate to the water in the tank, to heat the Water and generate steam inthe tank at a gradual but consistent rate, the tank being pressuretightto accommodate the build-up of a few pounds steam pressure. The steamgenerator also defines an outlet conduit from the tank to the pressingor ironing surface of the sole plate for conducting steam firom the tankto the material being ironed and for superheating the steam during suchpassage. By emptying the tank of water, the iron is adapted for dryironing. This iron has proven to be of substantial commercial merit andvalue. As a second stage in my development, 1 conceived an iron,disclosed in my Patent No. 2,674,( 54, issued April .6, 1954,incorporating, instead of steam generating means, a spray nozzle at thefront of the iron communicating with the Water tank, and pump meansassociated with the tank for effecting discharge of water through thespray nozzle. By this means, accommodation is made for the iron user, atwill during ironing, to sprinkle the material being ironedim- ,mediatelyin the path of movement of the iron, whereby the hot sole plate uponcontact with the sprinkled portion of the material generates steamdirectly in the .tibersof the material. With this iron, :dry ironing canbe effected by the user refraining from use of the pump. Realizing thatsteam ironing is :best for some fabrics and materials, that sprinklingand then ironing is best for other materials, and that dry ironing is.best for still others, I incorporated the features of both of the abovedevelopments in a single iron, as is disclosed in my copendingapplication, Serial Number 249,681, .filed October 4, 195,1.Specifically, 1

incorporated in a single iron the spray nozzle and pump of my seconddevelopment and employed .steamgenerating means in the nature of thatprovided .in my steam iron, except that the steam generating means ismounted for movement into and out of heat conducting relation with thesole plate. By moving the steam generating means into engagement withthe sole plate, the iron :is rendered operable for steam ironing. Bymoving the steam generating means out of heat conducting relation to the:sole plate, and operating the pump, the iron is rendered operable forsprinkling ironing. And by disposing the steam generating means out ofheat conducting relation to the sole plate, and "by refraining fromactuation of the pump, the iron is rendered operable for dry ironing.

It is anobject of thepresent invention principally to im prove upon thelast above described iron, and-to incorporate in the improved ironfurther improvements that l have made over the steam iron of my firstmentioned patent.

In a further copending application, Serial No. 448,171, filed August 6,1954, I have improved. upon and economized the steam iron of Patent No.2,615,265, by substituting improved steam generating means of the flashvaporization type, located in the iron sole plate, for the steamgenerating and superheating means of the patent. By such means, thenecessity for a high heat resistant reservoir is eliminated, whereby aseconomical as possible a water tank construction isaccommodated. In thisrespect, I have-further improved upon my patented steam iron byproviding an all-plastic housing, water reservoir and handle assembly,preferably a one-piece plastic molding or casting, which affords theadvantages of greater economy, better insulation, provision of a handleand housing that are cool to the touch irrespective of heating of thesole plate, and provision of an iron assembly adapted to be colored in avariety of colors to afford an iron of gay and cheerful appearance.Further, I have incorporated improved spacer means in the iron betweenthe sole plate and the water reservoir to insure optimum insulation ofthe housing and handle assembly from the sole plate. Another improvementrelates to the arrangement of the elec tric heating element in the soleplate to concentrate heat about the dash vaporization means to insureetficient operation of said means. The final principal improvementafforded by my last filed application relates to the pro vision of meansaccommodating substantially instantane ous change from steam ironing-todry ironing and from dry ironing to steam ironing without the necessityfor emptying and refilling, respectively, the water reservoir upon eachsuch change.

Generally, one object of the present invention is to provide an improvedsteam, sprinkling and dry iron corporating the improvements of my lastabove identified application.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to providean improved iron adapted for steam ironing, sprinkling ironing and dryironing and including means accommodating the substantiallyinstantaneous changeover from one type of ironing to another.

A second object of :the invention is the provision of an improved ironincluding flash vaporization means, a spray nozzle and a waterreservoir, and instantaneously operable control valve meansforselectively establishing communi cation between one or the other ofsaid means and said nozzle and the reservoir and for blocking both ofsaid means and said nozzle oil trom the reservoir .to accommodate,selectively, steam ironing, spray or sprinkle ironing and dry ironing.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedmultiple-purpose iron including a molded plastic housing, waterreservoir and handle assembly affording the advantages above enumerated.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedmultiple-purpose iron including steam generator means, preferably of thedash vaporization type, and an improved sole plate construction andheating element arrangement so related to said means as to insureefiicient operation of said means.

Distinct and separate from my prior improvements, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an improved control valve for irons,including improved manually operable valve actuating means of aparticularly efficient and practical nature.

In addition to the immediately foregoing, it is a distinctobject of theinvention to provide a four-purpose iron afiording not only thecapabilities of dry ironing and sprinkling iron, but also aflording twotypes of steam 3 ironing, namely, continuous emission of steam andcontrolled forcible emission of steam.

A further distinct object of the invention is the provision of animproved iron selectively accomplishing the four purposes above stated,wherein the four purposes are accomplished by means of a control valveassembly without necessitating equipment over and above that requiredfor a steam and sprinkling two-purpose iron, or a three-purpose iron.

According to the present invention, the above objects are attained bythe provision of an iron comprising an electrically heated sole plate,flash vaporization means located in the sole plate, a housing, waterreservoir and handle assembly disposed above the sole plate, conduitmeans establishing communication between the flash vaporization meansand the reservoir, a spray nozzle disposed at the forward portion of theiron, conduit means establishing communication between the spray nozzleand the reservoir, air pump means associated with the reservoir to buildup a pressure head on the water in the reservoir, and unitary valvemeans associated with said conduit means. The valve means includes afirst port area adapted at one position to establish communicationsolely between the reservoir and the spray nozzle, at second and thirdpositions to establish communication solely between the reservoir andthe flash evaporation means, and at a fourth position to preventcommunication between said conduit means and said reservoir.

In the first position of the valve means, operation of the pump resultsin a pressure head being built up on the water in the reservoir untilthe pressure is adequate to spray water through the nozzle. In thefourth position, only dry ironing can be effected, regardless of pumpactuation. As to the second and third positions, the unitary controlvalve means includes a second port area associated with the flashvaporization means. In, say, the second position, the ports in thesecond port area are disposed to establish communication between a dripfeed control orifice and the reservoir, whereby contin ous drip feed ofwater to the flash vaporization means is accommodated to provide acontinuous emission of steam for steam ironing. In the third position,the ports in the second port area establish communication solely via avalved conduit between the reservoir and the flash vaporization means.The valve in this conduit is normally held closed by a predeterminedspringtension and it is necessary to actuate the pump to exert efiicientwater pressure on the valve to open the same against the tension of thespring. When the valve is opened, a predetermined charge of water isadmitted to the vaporization means to be flashed into steam inrelatively large quantity for relatively forcible dispersion into thematerial being ironed. Whenever the iron user desires forcible steamdischarge, it is merely necessary to actuate the pump means. Accordinglythen, the third position of the control valve means affords thecapability of forcible emission of steam at the control of the ironuser. Thus, without increasing the essential components of athreepurpose iron, the present invention affords the advantages of afour-purpose iron.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the following detailed description of preferred embodimentsof the invention.

Now, in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofmaking and using the improved multiple-purpose iron of the invention, Ishall describe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, preferredembodiments of the invention and preferred manners of constructing thesame.

In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts:

Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal section of a preferred embodimentof the four-purpose iron of the invention, the view showing the valvemeans of the iron in the force feed or controlled steam emissionposition;

Figure 2 is a bottom view, on a reduced scale, of the iron sole plateshowing in dotted lines the improved heating element arrangement;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the thermostatic control means andtemperature indicating means associated with the iron;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section, taken substantially online 4-4 of Figure 1, showing the valve actuating means in plan and thefirst port area of the valve means in section, the valve means beingdisposed in the force feed or controlled steam emission position;

Figure 5 is a horizontal section, taken substantially on line 5-5 ofFigure 1, of one level of the second port area of the valve means, theview showing the valve means in controlled steam emission position;

Figure 6 is a horizontal section, taken substantially on line 6-6 ofFigure l, at the other level of the second port area of the valve means,the view also showing the valve means in the controlled steam emissionposition;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary vertical section of the valve means portion ofthe iron showing the valve means in the spray or sprinkle ironingposition;

Figure 8 is a horizontal section, taken substantially on line 8-8 ofFigure 7, of the first port area of the valve means, the view showingthe valve means in the spray ironing position;

Figures 9 and 10 are sections similar to Figures 5 and 6, respectively,of the valve means at the respective second port area levels, each viewshowing the valve in the spray ironing position, the views being takenrespectively on the lines 99 and 1010 of Figure 7;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing the valve means in thecontinuous steam emission or drip feed position;

Figures l2, l3 and 14 are views similar to Figures 8, 9 and 10,respectively, the views showing the respective port areas in the dripfeed position of the valve, the views being taken, respectively,substantially on lines 1212, 1313 and 1414 of Figure 11;

Figures 15, 16 and 17 are views similar to Figures 8, 9 and 10,respectively, the views showing the respective port areas in the dryironing position of the valve; and

Figure 18 is a transverse vertical section of a second embodiment of theiron.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig ure 1, I haveshown a preferred embodiment of a steam iron formed according to thepresent invention. The iron includes a sole plate 10 having a bore 11therethrough and a heating element 12 embedded therein. The heatingelement includes a portion at least substantially encircling the bore 11and preferably completely encircling the bore by disposition of theheating element in a figure eight configuration, as is shown in dottedlines in Figure 2,"or in any other similar configuration. The heatingelement 12 is usually circular in cross section, as indicated at 12a inFigure 1, but at the intersecting portions thereof, I form the heatingelement of semi-circular cross section, as indicated at 12b, toaccommodate disposition of the element in the figure eightconfiguration. Adjacent the rear of the sole plate 10, the opposite freeends of the heating element are turned upwardly to afford exposedterminals 12c adapted for connection to an electric power source.

Above the sole plate 10, there is disposed a housing and handle assembly14 of improved formation. This assembly is formed entirely of molded orcast plastic in one or more pieces, and preferably comprises a one-pieceplastic molding. The assembly 14 includes a housing having a top wall15, a bottom wall 16 and side walls 37 defining a hollow water reservoirspace 18 within the housing. The handle of the assembly is disposedvertically above the longitudinal axis of the housing and reservoir andcomprises generally vertical front and rear legs 20 and 21,respectively, and a hand grip portion 22 extending between the legs inspaced relation to the upper en ages surface of the top wall 15. of thehousing. The front leg of the housing is formed hollow or with a bore 23therein extending into the reservoir 18. and comprising a filler openingfor the reservoir. The filler opening is closed at the upper end thereofby a cap 24 which includes a fast thread 25, cooperable with projectionsintegral with the assembly 14 and extending into the filler opening, toaccommodate ready attachment and removal of the cap 24. A sealinggasketv 26 is provided between opposed inclined surfaces of the cap 24.and. the front leg of the handle to insure pressure-tight sealing of thereservoir. The bottom. wall 16 of the reservoir is provided with astepped bore or hole 27 therethrough aligned axially with the bore 11 inthe sole plate 10. Suitably, the bottom wall. of the housing includes areenforcing boss 28 about the apertured or bored portion thereof. Theside walls 17 of the housing preferably extend downwardly beyond thebottom wall 16 thereof and terminate in a free peripheral edge spacedinwardly of but conforming to the peripheral edge of the sole plate.

The stepped bore 27 in the bottom wall 16 of the reservoir is adaptedfor the reception therein of a flanged tubular member 29 comprising, aswill become apparent hereinafter, a valve housing. The member 29 issealingly clamped to the housing by means of a nut 30 and includes aportion projecting upwardly into the reservoir 18. The upper portion ofthe member 29 is provided with diametrically aligned bores 31 and 32 andis adapted for the reception thereover of a general cylindrical orannular member 33 including a radially extending boss portion defining athreaded. socket 34 facing toward the front of the iron within the waterreservoir 18. The member 33 is bored at diametrically opposite portionsthereof to provide a bore 35 aligned and communicating with the bore 31in the valve housing 29 and a bore 36 communicating with the bore 32 inthe housing 29. Suitably, the members 29 and 33 are locally recessed,respectively, at the outer and inner peripheries thereof, to assurecommunica tion between the bores 31 and 35 and 32 and 36.

The threaded socket 34 is adapted for the reception of an externallythreaded tube 37 which projects substantially horizontally forward fromthe socket, through the forward portion of the side wall 17 of thehousing, in sealed and pressure-tight relation to the housing. A valveseat 38 is disposed in the inner end of the tube 37 and includes a valveport aligned with the bore 36 in the member 33. A valve 39 is movablymounted in the tube 37 to cooperate with the valveseat 38 and the sameis biased into engagement with the seat 38 by means of a spring 40confined between the valve 39 and an apertured plug 41 in the tube. Aspray nozzle assembly 42 is mounted within the tube. and includes avertically adjustable dispersion nozzle projecting beyond the end of thetube forwardly of the iron housing. An annular collar 43 threaded on thefree outer end of the tube 37 retains the components 38 to 42 inassembled relation within the tube.

Within the front leg 20 of the housing assembly 14, a second bore 44 isprovided adapted for the reception therein of an air pump assembly 45including a pump cylinder 46 sealingly engaged in the bore and openinginto the reservoir 18, a pump piston 47 reciprocable in the cylinder 46,an air valve 48 in the piston, a valve seat 49 pinned in the lower endof the cylinder 46, an outlet or safety valve 50 cooperable with thevalve seat 49, and a valve biasing spring 51 confined between the valve50 and an apertured plug 52 secured in the lower end of the cylinder 46.A piston actuating lever 53, in the nature of a bell crank, is pivotallymounted intermediate its ends in. the front leg 20 of the handle abovethe pump assembly 45 and includes a hand grip portion extendingrearwardly beneath the hand grip portion 22 of the iron handle andmovable into and out of a recess 54 provided in the lower surface of theiron handle. A connecting rod 55 is pivotally connected at the oppositeends thereof to the piston. 47 and to the inner end of the bell crank53, whereby oscillation of the crank or lever 53 results inreciprocation of the piston 47,. Preferably, a spring 56 is providedextending between the inner end of the lever 53 and the handle normallyto bias and actuate the piston 47 upwardly and the hand grip portion 53of the lever downwardly, whereby the pump is operable by the iron usermerely by squeezing on the hand grip portions of the. iron handle andthe lever 53. Preferably, the lever 53 is limited in its movements byportions of the handle, particularly in the direction of downwardmovement of the hand grip portion to limit spring actuation and tomaintain the lever 53 in conveniently reachable position, as seen inFigure 1. As will be appreciated, actuation of the pump results in airunder pressure being forced past the valve 50 into the reservoir 18 tobuild up a pressure head above and on the water in the reservoir. Thevalve 50 prevents flow of water into the pump and necessitates thecreation of adequate air pressure by the pump prior to opening of thevalve to insure discharge of air into the reservoir without flow ofwater into the pump.

In view of the foregoing, it is to be noted that establishment ofcommunication between the bores 31, 32, 35 and 36 will affordcommunication between the reservoir 18 and the spray nozzle assembly 42,whereupon creation of a suflicient head on the water in the reservoir bymeans of the pump 45 to open the spray nozzle valve 39 will result inspraying or sprinkling of Water through the spray nozzle. Once apressure head has been established on the water just less than thatrequired to open the valve 39, each subsequent stroke of the pump willresult in spraying of water. By appropriate adjustment of the dispersionnozzle, a fine spray or mist. of water will be directed onto the portionof the material being ironed immediately in front of the iron, wherebyupon engagement of the heated sole plate with the sprinkled area, steamwill be generated within the fibers of the material, which isparticularly advantageous and! substantially the only practical mannerof ironing starched material, linen and the like.

To control communication between the pairs of bores 31, 35 and 32, 36and to aiford additional control functions as well, a tubular valvemember 57 is rotatably mounted within the valve housing member 29. Thevalve 57 is rotatably supported in the housing 29 by means of a largethreaded stud 58 which is threaded into the upper end of the valve. Thehead of the stud rotatably rests on top of the valve housing 29 and isof a sufliciently large diameter to overlie the annular portion of thesocket member 33 to retain said member on the valve housing. The valvecomprises a hollow cylindrical tube extending downwardly through andbeyond the housing member 29 and into the bore 11 in the sole plate 10.At the level of the bores 31 and 32 in the member 29, the valve isprovided with a plurality of ports comprising a first port area 59,which is shown in Figures 4, 8, l2 and 15, and which will be describedin detail hereinafter. The valve member terminates at the lower endthereof slightly above the pressing or lower surface of the sole plate10, and being hollow comprises means for conducting water from the Waterreservoir to the sole plate in a manner to be described. Adjacent thelower end thereof, the valve member includes a second port area 60,which is shown in Figures 5, 6, 9, 10, 13, i4, 16 and l7 and which willbe described in detail hereinafter.

The bore 11 in the sole plate 10 is closed by means of a pair of plugscomprising an outer annular plug 61 and an inner cylindrical plug 62.The annular plug 6i. is preferably formed of high heat conductivitymetal, such as copper, and is intimately and sealingly fitted into thebore 11 in the sole plate. The plug 61 extends above the upper surfaceof the sole plate to be fixed, as by brazing or sweating, to the lowerwall 63 of a combined spacer and steam chamber means 64. The means 64,in addition 7 to the walls 63, includes a side wall spacer portion 65and a planar top wall 66. The side wall 65 presents a lower edge portionconforming generally to the peripheral edge of the sole plate 10 whichis fitted into a groove provided in the upper surface of the sole plate.The side wall is inclined generally inwardly and upwardly toward thehousing assembly 14 and presents an upper edge portion conforminggenerally to the periphery of the lower edge of the side wall 17 of thehousing. The

top wall 66 of the means 64 is joined, preferably in tegrally, to theupper edge of the side wall and extends parallel to the bottom wall 16of the reservoir 18. The depending edge of the housing side wall 17 isrested on the top wall 66 of the means 64, whereby the housing andhandle assembly 14 is spaced and insulated from the sole plate 10.Preferably, a plurality of knobs or projections 67 are formed in spacedrelation on the lower edge of the housing side wall 17 to rest on thespacer means 64, whereby free flow of air into and out of an insulatingair space between the walls 16 and 66 is accommodated. The top wall 66of the means 64 further is provided with a relatively large diameteraperture therein, in axial alignment with the valve housing 29, toaccommodate the free passage therethrough of the tubular valve member57. The lower wall 63 of the means 64 is similarly apertured and theplug 61 is fitted into such aperture. Further, the wall 63 is spacedabove the upper surface of the sole plate 10 and is preferably inclinedupwardly to the top wall 66 of the means 64 immediately rearwardly ofthe plug 61 to define a chamber 68 Within said means. To close thechamber 68, a cylindrical member 69 is secured, as by welding, into theaperture in the top wall 66 of the means 64, the member 69 dependingfrom the wall 66 and being intimately received within the upper portionof the annular sole plate plug 61. The inner cylindrical sole plate plug62 is threaded into both the plug 61 and cylindrical member 69 toconnect the same in pressure-tight relation. Suitably, a seal 70 isprovided between the lower end of the member es and an internal flangeon the plug 61. The plug 62 is imperforate and sealingly closes thebores in the members 61 and 69 adjacent the sole plate. The lowersurfaces of both of the plugs 61 and 62 are preferably disposed flushwith the lower surface of the sole plate it to define a continuousironing surface.

The cylindrical member 69 is adapted for the axial reception therein ofthe lower portion of the valve member 57 and a second valve housingmember 71 comprising a hollow cylinder. Member 71 is secured andsupported within the member 69 by means of an annular closure plate 72,formed of low heat conductivity material, which is clamped at the innerand outer peripheries thereof to the members 71 and 69, respectively, bymeans of nuts 73 and 74, respectively. The lower portion of the valvemember 57, including the port area 60 thereof, is intimately androtatably received within the housing member 71. Adjacent the port area68 of the valve member 57, the housing member 71 is suitably recessedand bored to provide diametrically opposed vertical bores 75 opening tothe lower surface of the member, a transverse passage 76 joining theupper ends .of the bores '75 within the member 71, and a pair ofdiametrically opposed radial recesses 77 in the inner wall of the memberwhich also communicates with the passage 76. The bores 75, passage 76and recesses 77 are disposed in the same vertical plane with respect toone another and are also preferably disposed in the same vertical planeas the bores 31, 32, 35, and 36. The lower end of the valve housingmember 71 is adapted for the threaded reception of a generallyhemispherical valve housing 78 which is provided with a bore in thelower end thereof into which the lower end of the valve 57 extends. Atthe upper end of the said bore, the housing 78 is formed to define avalve seat. An annular valve member 79 slidably received on the lowerend of 8 the valve 57 is adapted to engage the seat in the housing 78,the valve normally being biased into engagement with its seat by meansof a spring 80.

The purpose of the valve port area 60, the valve housing member 71, thepassages and recesses 75, 76 and 77, the housing 78 and the valve 79 isto control communication between the water reservoir and the uppersurface of the sole plate plug 62. The manner in which communication iseffected, and the results thereof, will be described in greater detailhereinafter. For the present, however, assuming that flow of water fromthe reservoir to the lower end of the valve assembly is accommodated, itis to be appreciated that such water will fall directly onto the uppersurface of the plug 62. This plug is heated by the sole plate 10 andheat is particularly concentrated in the plug due to the relatively thinsection of the central portion thereof, the high heat conductivitycharacteristics of the annular plug 61 and the location of the heatingelement to encircle the plugs 61 and 62. Because of this heatconcentration, water dropped onto the plug 62 is immediatelly flashed tosteam within the steam chamber 81 defined by the plug 62, thecylindrical member 69, the valve housings 71 and 78 and the closuremember 72. Communication between the chambers 81 and 68 is establishedby means of radial ports 82 formed in the cylindrical member 6.),whereby steam generated in the chamber 81 is accumulated in the largerchamber 68 to afford a large volurne supply of steam and to accommodatethe pressure build up of steam in the chamber 68. The annular sole plateplug 61 is provided therein with a plurality of circtirnferentiallyspaced bores each adapted for the reception of a screw 83 having a smalldiameter bore or orifice therethrough. The orifices in the screws 83establish communication between the lower surface of the sole plate andthe steam accumulating chamber 68 to accommodate discharge of steamdirectly into the material being ironed. Also, the orifices aresufficiently small to necessitate the build-up of steam pressure in thechamber 68 prior to dispersion of the steam through the orifices.

As will become more fully apparent hereinafter, con trol of the iron fordifferent capabilities, such as the steam ironing and sprinkling ironingcapabilities briefly referred to hereinbefore, is afforded by rotationof the unitary valve member 57. To rotate the valve member, an operatingdisc 84 is provided, which disc is of sulficient radial extent toproject beyond the sides of the iron housing, as indicated in Figure 4.The disc is freely received on the valve member 57 between the valvehousings 29 and 71 and is pressed against the lower surface of the boss28 encircling the bore 27 in the bottom wall 16 of the reservoir 18 bymeans of a spring 85 which is confined between the disc and the lowervalve housing 71. The spring 85 frictionally holds the disc 84 inadjusted position against the boss 28, whereby the disc is disposedbetween the bottom wall 16 of the reservoir and the top wall 66 of thespacer means. The downwardly projecting portions of the lowerextremities of the housing side wall 17 are cut away where necessary toaccommodate passage of a peripheral marginal portion of the disc beyondthe housing, in the manner shown in Figure 4, whereby the disc isexposed for convenient manipulation by the iron user. The disc 84 isconnected to the valve 57, against relative rotation, by means of adisc-like member 86 pinned to the valve 57 beneath the disc 84 andincluding a pair of upwardly extending fingers or fork portions 87received within holes provided in the disc 84.

To complete the iron, in the entire assembly shown in Figure 1, thehousing and handle assembly 14, spacer means 64 and sole plate 10'mustbe connected together and the electrical circuit must be completed. Onepoint of connection 'is established between the assembly 14 and the soleplate by the valve means itself. Specifi- Manse-t sally, connection ofthe valve housing 29 to the assembly 14 by the nut 30, connection ofthe. valve housing 71 to the member 69 by the closure 72, connection ofthe member 69 to the sole plate. by the plugs 61 and 62, and connectionof the valve 57 to both valve housings results in connection of theassembly 14 to the sole plate 10 with the spacer 64 clampedtherebetween. Also, the plugs 61 and 62 serve to connect the spacer tothe sole plate. At the rear of the iron, connection is etlected by meansof a screw 83 extending through the housing portion of the assembly 14Within the rear leg 21 and through the spacer, and threaded at its lowerend into a boss of the sole plate.

To control heating of the sole plate of the iron, at thermostatic switch89 is. included in the electrical circuit of the iron. The switch 89 maysuitably be of a known type including bi-metallic contact carryingblades 90 and a threaded actuating stem 91 for varying the bias on theblades, to vary the temperature at which the contacts will separate andreengage, thus to afford a variable temperature control for heating ofthe sole plate according to the requirements of the material beingironed. The switch itself is preferably located in direct engagementwith the upper surface of the sole plate so that the contact blades 90are directly responsive to the temperature variations of the sole plateitself. To operate the actuating stem 91., a control rod 92. extendsvertically upward from the stem to the upper surface of the top wall ofthe housing and terminates in a control knob 93 movable over a suitablygraduated and marked scale 94 as is shown in Figure 3. To provide apositive indication of the temperature of the sole plate, I prefer tocombine a temperature. indicator 95 directly with the thermostaticcontrol. The temperature indicator may suitably comprise a spiralbi-metal element 96 disposed immediately adjacent the. sole plate, arotatable rod 97 actuated by the element 96 and extending upwardlytherefrom to the upper surface of the top wall of the housing, and aneedle or pointer 98 carried by the rod 97 and movable over a suitablegraduated scale 99 and pointer 98 being enclosed within and protected bya transparent cover 100. According to such arrangement, the temperaturecontrol knob 93 is disposed for immediate and convenient actuation bythe iron user and the term perature indicator is readily viewable toassure the user that the proper ironing conditions prevail, Toaccommodate passage of the rods 92 and 97 through the water reservoir18, the housing preferably includes a separate plastic molding 101disposed at. and closing an aperture 102 provided in the top wall 15 ofthe. housing for the reception of the temperature indicating and controlmeans. The plastic molding 101 includes a pair of tubular dependingextensions 103 and. 104 which extend from the main plate of the molding101 downwardly to the base wall 16 of the housing where they are unitedto the housing to maintain the reservoir 18 water and pressure tight.The control rods 92 and 97 are passed through the tubes 103 and 104,respectively, to extend to the upper surface of the reservoir withoutcontacting the water in the reservoir. As to the electrical connectionof the heating element 12 and the thermostatic switch 89, one terminal12c of the heating element 12 is connected to one terminal of the switch89 and the other heating element terminal, 120 and the other terminal ofthe switch 89 are connected to the respective leads of an electric powertransmission cord 105 by means of leads extending from the respectiveterminals upwardly through the bottom and top walls of the housing andinto a chamber 106 provided in the rear leg 21 of the iron housing. Aterminal block 107 ismounted within the rear leg 21 of the handle in thechamber 106, and the leads from the terminals of the switch and heatingelements and the leads of the cord 105. are. connected to the terminalblock. Suitably, the. electric. cord 105 extends through an apertureprovided in the side of the l0 rear leg 21 of theii'on handle to be. ledlaterally away from. the iron.

Having thus described the individual. components, con

st-ruction and assembly of the iron, and the operation and purpose ofcertain components and assemblies in the iron, reference is now madeparticularly to Figures 4 through 17 for a comprehensive description ofthe details of the valve 57, the operation and functions thereof, andthe overall functions and advantages of the iron. As shown, in Figures4, 8, 12 and 15, the valve 57 at the first or upper port area 59thereof, within the valve housing 29, is provided with a plurality ofcircumferentlally spaced ports comprising a first radial port 120, adiametrically bored. port 121 and a second radial port 122, the tworadial ports being disposed, in the embodiment shown, to opposite sidesof the diametrical port 121 and being suitably spaced circumferentiallytherefrom, as for example, by 45 degrees. The three ports are adapted tobe aligned, selectively, with the bores 31 and 35 in the members 29 and33, by appropriate oscillation or movement of the control disc 84 andvalve 57. The two radial ports are adapted to establish communicationbetween the bores 31, 35 and the internal axial passageway of thetubular valve member, whereby communication is established between thewater reservoir 13 and the interior of the valve. Irrespective of whichradial port is aligned with the bore 31, the valve 57 blocks oil thebore 32 in the housing 29 leading to the spray nozzle, as is shown inFigures 4 and 12, respectively. The diametrical bore 121 when alignedwith the bore 31 in the housing 29 not only establishes communicationbetween the water reservoir 18 and the interior of the valve 57, butalso establishes communication between the interior of the valve and thebores 32 and 36 leading to the spray nozzle, as is shown. in Figure 8,whereby the spray nozzle is disposed in communication with the waterreservoir. By turning the valve 57 clockwise 45 degrees, for example,from the. position shown in Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 15,solid portions of the valve block off all communication with the waterreservoir 18, whereby the iron is rendered operable for dry ironing, aswill appear more fully hereinafter. Thus, merely by oscillation of thecontrol disc 34 through an arc of 135 degrees, at 45 degree increments,the user of the iron is adapted to set the iron to perform four ironingfunctions or purposes.

At the second valve port area 60 thereof, the valve 57 includes a solidcentral plug portion 123 (Figure 7). Immediately above the plug, as isshown in Figures 5, 9, l3 and 1.6, the valve is provided with a pair ofdiametrical- 1y bored ports 124 and 125, which in the embodiment shownare disposed at right angles to one another. The

ports 124 and 125 are preferably aligned vertically with the radialports and 122, respectively, in the upper port area 59 of the valve.Within the plug portion 123 thereof, at a level lower than the ports 124and 125, the valve 57 is provided with another diametrically bored port126, shown in Figures 6, ll), 14 and 17, which is disposed in verticalalignment with the port 125, and thus also with the port 122. The ports124 and are aligned horizontally with the passage 76 of the valvehousing 71 to communicate with the passages 75, 76 and 77 when the valveis rotated to an appropriate position. The bore 126 is alignedhorizontally with the lower portion of the recesses 76 in the housing 71to communicate therewith when the valve is rotated to the appropriateposition. The valve 5 7 is provided with an axial bore inthe lower endthereof and a small diameter orifice 127 is formed inthe plug portion123 of the valve to establish communication between the said axial boreand the port 126.

Referring now to Figures 1, 4, 5 and 6, l have shown the valve 57disposed in a first control position thereof. In this position, the port120 in the upper port area 59 establishes communication, through thebores 31 and 35, between the waterreservoir 1'8 and the interior of the75 into the chamber defined between the valve housings 71 and 78, whichchamber is releasably closed by the spring pressed valve 79. Byoperating the pump lever 53 in the handle of the iron, the iron user cancreate a sutficient pressure head on the water in the last named chamberto force the valve 79 open, whereupon a charge of water is released fromthe chamber. By forming the bores and ports 75, 76 and 124 of relativelysmall diameter, the chamber between the valve housings 71 and 78 maysuitably constitute a measuring chamber for a predetermined charge ofwater to be forced past the valve,

the said bores and ports sufficiently restricting the fiow of water tothe chamber so that only the water in the chamber will be released uponopening of the valve. The charge of water thus released gravitatesdownwardly onto the upper surface of the sole plate plug 62, whereuponit is flashed into steam. Assuming that the steam chambers 68 and 81 aresubstantially filled with steam, the sudden generation of a largequantity of steam from the charge of water released will substantiallyincrease the pressure in the chambers, whereby there will occur a rapidand forcible ejection of steam for a short duration from the steamaccumulating chamber 68 through the dispersion orifices in the screws83. Thus, a forcible emission of steam occurs. In the meantime,sufficient water gravitates to the valved chamber within the housings 71and 78 to fill the same, whereupon further forcible emissions of steammay be made to occur upon actuation of the pump lever 53. Thus, the ironuser is able, within his or her exclusive control, to effect forcibleemissions of steam whenever required or desired. This function of theiron is particularly useful in the pressing of heavy weight articles,garments and the like, where it is necessary to force steam through thefabric to remove wrinkles or creases. Also, this function is of especialbenefit in the pressing of articles when it is desired to dry iron someportions of the article and steam iron others, since the iron user hasfull control of steam generation and emission.

To indicate that the valve 57 is disposed in position to render the ironoperable for the forced feed or con trolled emission of steam, thecontrol disc 84 at the portions thereof projecting beyond the oppositesides of the iron housing, when the port 120 is aligned with the bores31 and 35, may suitably carry the legend Forced Feed," as shown inFigure 4, or any other suitable legend to indicate to the user of theiron the ironing function for which the control assembly is set.

To render the iron operable for spray or sprinkling ironing, the userneed only rotate the control disc 84 in a counterclockwise direction 45from the position shown in Figure 4. In the new position, the legendSpray or a like legend is visible to the user on the exposed portions ofthe disc 84 on both sides of the iron. When the control disc is so set,the valve 57, as is shown in Figures 7 to 10, is disposed with thediametrical bore 121 in alignment with the bores 31, 35 and 32, 36 inthe members 29 and 33, whereby communication is established between the.water reservoir 18 and the spray nozzle means 42. At the port area 60 ofthe valve, the ports 124, 125 and 126 are all disposed at an inclinationto the passage 76, whereby all flow through the lower end of the valveis prevented by the valve. Accordingly, discharge of water isaccommodated solely through the spray nozzle 42. Upon actuation of thepump handle :53, a pressure head is built up -on.the., water within thereservoir until adequate pressure is created to open the valve 39 of thespray nozzle means. Upon opening of the valve 39, an amount of water isdispersed as a fine spray through the dispersion nozzle and onto thematerial being ironed. After an adequate pressure head is onceestablished, each successive stroke of the pump handle will result inspraying or sprinkling of water. Due to the disposition of thedispersion nozzle, water is sprayed onto the fabric immediately in thepath of the iron sole plate. As the heated sole plate contacts thesprinkled area, steam is generated directly within the fibers of thematerial. As previously noted, this type of ironing is ideal for linens,starched articles and the like. Sprinkling of water is under fullcontrol of the iron user, either in the form of an intermittent sprayupon intermittent actuation of the pump handle, or of a con tinuousspray upon a substantially continuous but fairly gradual actuation ofthe pump. If the pump is not actuated, ironing may be effected dry,particularly when putting the finishing touches on an ironed article.

A continuous emission of steam is accommodated by disposition of thecontrol disc 84 and valve 57 in a third control position attained byrotating the disc and valve 45 degrees in a counterclockwise directionfrom the Spray position shown in Figures 7 through 10. In this thirdposition, as shown in Figures 11 through 14, the valve 57 is disposedwith the radial port 122 thereof in alignment with the bores 31 and 35in the members 29 and 33 to establish communication between the waterreservoir 18 and the interior of the valve 57 whereby water gravitatesto the port area 60. At the port area 60, the port 125 communicates withthe passages 75, 76 and 77, and at the lower level,'the port 126communicates with the recesses 77 to bypass the chamber defined betweenthe valve housings 71 and 78. While the port arrangement accommodatesfree flow of water into the chamber defined between the valve housings71 and 78, the principal and a continuous flow is accommodated throughthe by-pass port 126 and the drip feed orifice 127. The orifice 127 isof a diameter to restrict the flow to such an extent that water willissue only drop by drop therefrom. The drops of Water dripped from theorifice 127 will fall directly onto the upper surface of the heated soleplate plug 62, whereupon the individual drops are flashed into steam,the steam being ac- 'cumulated in the chamber 68 for dispersion throughthe orifices in the screws 83. Dripping of water in the manner describedis continuous as long as the valve is set as described so that steamgeneration and dispersion are continuous. If large quantities of steamare desired, the air pump can be actuated to effect forced feed sincethe control ports are open to the valved water chamber. In

any case, steam emission will becontinuous. However,

steaming normally will be permitted by the drip feed feature only.Accordingly, the control disc 84, on the portions thereof projectingbeyond the housing when the valve is set as last described, may bear thelegend Drip or any suitable legend.

' A fourth control setting is attained by rotating the control disc 84and the valve 57 clockwise 45 degrees from the position shown in Figures1 and 4 through 6, i. e., degrees clockwise from the position shown inFigures 11 through 14, in which position all of the control ports in thevalve 57 are blocked off, as shown in Figures 15 through 17, to preventflow of water and thus render the iron operable for dry ironing. Thecontrol disc 84 may suitably bear the legend Dry Iron to indicate thisposition of the valve.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the present inventionprovides an improved iron construction affording four different ironingfunctions. Setting of the iron for performance of any one of the fourfunctions is attained by finger actuation or rotation of a control discbearing legends indicating the setting of the iron for performance .ofvthevarious functions. in the embodiment greases '13 shown anddescribedthe control disc need be oscillated :in an arc of only 135degrees to effect setting of the valve in each of the four positions. Tolimit valve oscillation to this arc, the disc .84 :may suitably carry onthe upper surface thereof, radially outwardly of .the boss 28, a pair ofstops 130 each adapted, at the opposite limits of valve oscillation, toengage a rib 131 formed integrally with the bottom wall 16 of thehousing assembly 14 and extending longitudinally of the housing betweenthe boss 28 and the forward endof the :housing, asis .seen in Figure 4.

Referring now to .Figure 18, 1 have shown .asecond embodiment of theiron of the invention wherein the principal differences from theembodiment previously described reside in the. formation of the .spacer.means and in the construction of the steam chamber and steam dispersionmeans. Due to the similarity of the two embodiments, the same tens anddigits numerals used in Figures 1 through 17 are employed in the twohundred series to indicate like or similar parts in .Figure 18. Asshown, the housing and handle assembly 214 comprises a plastic moldingsubstantially identical to the housing assembly previously described.Likewise the sole .plate .210, and the arrangement of the heatingelement 212 therein, are substantially the same as above described. Theiron control means is preferably identical to that above described, thesame comprising the control disc .284, which is shown in section, andthe various housing and like components, shown in elevation, includingthe valve retaining stud258, the annular member 233 having the socket234 and spray nozzle 237, the nut 230, the valve housing 229,, the valve257, the disc-like member 286 having the forks 287, and the valvehousing 271, the closure 27 2, the nuts 273 and 274 and thelower valvehousing 278.

The construction of the steam chamber and the relationship of the sameto thesole plate .210, is however, different in that the bore 211 in thesole plate 210 is closed by means of a single cylindrical plug .262having a plurality of apertures or passages 283 therethrough adjacentthe periphery thereof. The plug 262 is threaded into an imperforatecylindrical member.269 which encompassesand encloses the housing members.271 and 278. The upper end of the member 269 is closed by means of theplate 272 and the nuts 273 and 274 to define asteam chamber 281 withinthe space enclosed by the members 262, 269 and 272, the passages 283accommodating dispersion of steam therethrough to the material beingironed. Due to such arrangement, the large steam accumulating chamber 68of the former embodiment is eliminated, whereby a simplified spacermeans may be clamped between the housing assembly 214 and the sole plate210. The spacer means I prefer to adopt in this instance comprises arelatively thin sheet 265 of metal of low heat conductivity that isprovided with a multitude of closely spaced holes or perforations. Also,Iprefer to .corrugatc the sheet 265 to rigidify the same and afford agreater surface area. The sheet 265 is formed to define a lower edgeconforming to the periphery of the sole plate, which edge is received ina groove along the edge of the sole plate, and an upper edge conformingto theperiphery of the lower edge of the housing 214, upon which thehousing assembly is rested. This spacer defines a larger insulating airspace between the sole plate 219 and the housing 214 than isaccommodated by the previously described construction and accommodatesfree flow of air into and out of the space, efficiently to insulate thehousing and handle assembly from the soleplate.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present inventionprovides substantial improvements and advantages over prior endeavors inthe art. Among the several advantages and features of the presentinvention are the provision of a single iron adapted to perform fourtypes of ironing or four ironing functions. Another advantage is theprovision in a multi-purpose iron of an economical and instantaneouslyactuatable control valve assembly -for selectively setting the iron forthe performance of each .1 4 of its functions. A further distinctadvantage is the pro vision .in irons generally of a novel controlmember comprising a disc positioned between the water reservoir and soleplate of the iron and including portions extending laterally beyond theperiphery of the iron, which portions bear suitable legends and areexposed for convenient manual operation by theiron user. Also, the ironof themesent "invention incorporates therein improved flash vaporinationmeans and an improved arrangement of the heating element so related tothe flash vaporization means as to insure optimum and efficientoperation of said means. By employing spacer means, of 'either of theembodiments disclosed herein, an insulating air space is providedbetween the sole plate and the housing of the iron, which space .is opentothe free flow of air, to insulate the iron handle from the heat of thesole plate. .In conjunction with this latter feature, the presentinvention'affords an all plastic housing, water reservoir and handleassembly which further insulates the hand of the iron user from the heatof the sole plate. Due to the cooling influence of the water storedwithin the water reservoir in the handle and housing assembly, theplastic assembly is efficiently cooled so that the possibility of theiron user being burned is vastly reduced, if not entirely eliminated.Thus, the portion of the iron grasped by the user is; maintainedrelatively cool to the touch to contribute to the greater comfort andenjoyment of the user. The employment of an all plastic housing andhandle leads to the further advantage that the assembly may readily becolored in any one .of a variety of colors, or may be variegated, toafford a very attractive and eye appealing item of manufacture. Further,by forming the handle and housing of more than one piece, accommodationis made for the provision of bi-color handle and housing assemblies,whereby the house wife is provided with a wide selection ofenjoyment-provoking, .gay and cheerful color schemes. These and othersof the advantages set forth hereinbefore contribute to afford an ironcapable of performing every conceivable ironing function and at the sametime embodied in a particularly economical and highly attractivestructure.

While I have described what I regard to be preferred embodiments of myinvention, it will be appreciated that various changes, rearrangementand modifications maybe made therein without departing from the scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, steamgenerating means associated with :said sole plate, a heating elementassociated with said sole plate, a water reservoir disposed above saidsole plate and steam generating means, conduit means establishingcommunication between said reservoir and said steam generating means, aspray nozzle projecting from the forward end of said reservoir andcommunicating with said conduit means, said water reservoir beingpressure-tight, a pump associated with said reservoir'operable to buildup a pressure .head in said reservoir, a valve movable in said conduitmeans and including ports therein selectively establishing communicationbetween said reservoir and said spray nozzle, between said reservoir andsaid steam generating means and selectively blocking off communicationbetween said .spray nozzle, said steam generating means and saidreservoir, and control means associated with said valve and extending tothe exterior of the iron to accommodate setting-of said valve.

2. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, steamgenerating means associated with said sole plate, a heating elementassociated with said sole plate, a molded plastic housing, waterreservoir and handle assembly disposed above said sole plate and steamgenerating means, spacer means disposed between said assembly and saidsole plate to define an insulating air space therebetween, conduit meansestablishing communication be tween :said reservoir and said steamgenerating means, a spray nozzle projecting from the forward end of saidassembly and communicating with said conduit means, said water reservoirbeing pressure-tight, a pump associated with said assembly operable tobuild up a pressure head in said reservoir, a valve movable in saidconduit means including ports therein selectively establishingcommunication between said reservoir and said spray nozzle, between saidreservoir and said steam generating means and selectively blocking ofiicommunication between said spray nozzle, said steam generating and saidreservoir, and control means associated with said valve and extending tothe exterior of the iron to accommodate setting of said valve, saidspacer means, the insulating air space defined by said spacer means andthe water in said reservoir insulating and cooling the assembly from andwith respect to said sole plate and steam generating means, whereby saidassembly remains relatively cool to the touch.

3. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, steamgenerating means of the flash vaporization type disposed in said soleplate, a heating element embedded in said sole plate and including aportion at least substantially encircling said steam generating means, awater reservoir disposed above said sole plate and steam generatingmeans, conduit means establishing communication between said reservoirand said steam generating means, a spray nozzle projecting from theforward end of said reservoir and communicating with said conduit means,said water reservoir being pressure-tight, a pump associated with saidreservoir operable to build up a pressure head in said reservoir, avalve movable in said conduit means and including ports thereinselectively establishing communication between said reservoir and saidspray nozzle, between said reservoir and said steam generating means andselectively blocking ofi. communication between said spray nozzle, saidsteam generating means and said reservoir, and control means associatedwith said valve and extending to the exterior of the iron to accommodatesetting of said valve, said valve and said conduit means including flowrestricting means accommodating the flow only of a predetermined amountof water at one time to said steam generating means when said valveestablishes communication between said generating means and .saidreservoir, said steam generating means being subjected to theconcentrated effect of said heating element to flash the said amount ofwater to steam.

4. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, steamgenerating means associated with said sole plate, a heating elementassociated with said sole plate, a water reservoir disposed above saidsole plate and steam generating means, conduit means establishingcommunication between said reservoir and said steam generating means, aspray nozzle projecting from the forward end of said reservoir andcommunicating with said conduit means, said Water reservoir beingpressure-tight, an air pump associated with said reservoir operable tobuild up an air pressure head on the water in said reservoir, 21 valvemovable in said conduit means and including ports therein selectivelyestablishing communication between said reservoir and said spray nozzle,between said reservoir and said steam generating means and selectivelyblocking ofl. communication between said spray nozzle, said steamgenerating means and said reservoir, and control means associated withsaid valve and extending to the exterior of the iron to accommodatesetting of said valve, said valve when establishing communication.between said reservoir and said a spray nozzle accommodating theforcible dispersion of liquid water under pressure from said reservoirforwardly of the iron.

5. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, steamgenerating means of the flash vaporization type disposed in said soleplate, a heating element em-,

bedded in said sole plate and including a portion at least substantiallyencircling said steam generating means, a molded plastic housing, waterreservoir and handle assembly disposed above said sole plate and steamgenerating means, spacer means disposed between said assembly and saidsole plate to define an insulating air space therebetween conduit meansestablishing communication between said reservoir and said steamgenerating means, a spray nozzle projecting from the forward end of saidassembly and communicating with said conduit means, said Water reservoirbeing pressure-tight, an air pump associated with said assembly operableto build up an air pressure head on the water in said reservoir, a valvemovable in said conduit means and including ports therein selectivelyestablishing communication between said reservoir and said spray nozzleto accommodate the forcible dispersion of liquid water under pressurefrom said reservoir forwardly of the iron, between said reservoir andsaid steam generating means to render the iron operable for steamironing, and selectively blocking off communication between said spraynozzle, said steam generating means and said reservoir to render theiron operable for dry ironing, and control means associated with saidvalve and extending to the exterior of the iron to accommodate settingof said valve, said valve and said conduit means including flowrestricting means accommodating the flow only of a predetermined amountof water at one time to said steam generating means when said valveestablishes communication between said steam generating means and saidreservoir, said steam generating means being subjected to theconcentrated efiect of said heating element to flash the said amount ofwater to steam and to accommodate the dispersion of the steam to thelower surface of said sole plate, said spacer means, the insulating airspace defined by said spacer means and the water in said reservoirinsulating and cooling the assembly from and with respect to said soleplate and steam generating means, whereby said assembly remainsrelatively cool to the touch.

6. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, steamgenerating meansv associated with said sole plate, an electric heatingelement associated with said sole plate, a pressure-tight waterreservoir disposed above said sole plate, pump means associated withsaid reservoir and operable to create a pressure head in said reservoir,a water spray nozzle associated with said reservoir and projecting fromthe forward end thereof, conduit means establishing communicationbetween said reservoir, said spray nozzle and said steam generatingmeans, a unitary valve in said conduit means including a first port areahaving ports therein selectively establishing communication between saidwater reservoir and said steam generating means and between said waterreservoir and said spray nozzle and for blocking ofl? communicationbetween said reservoir, said spray nozzle and said steam generatingmeans, said conduit means between said steam generating means and saidreservoir defining a valved chamber, said valve including a second portarea having ports therein selectively establishing, upon establishmentof communication between said reservoir and said steam generating means,communication solely between said reservoir and said valved chamber,said valve and said conduit means including port means bypassing saidvalved chamber, said valve being movable to a first position blockingoff communication between said reservoir, said nozzle and said steamgenerating means to prevent flow of water and render the iron operablefor dry ironing, to a second position establishing communicationexclusively between said reservoir and said spray nozzle in whichposition actuation of said pump means eflfects dispersion of water fromsaid reservoir through said nozzle to render the iron operable forsprinkling ironing, to a third position establishing communicationbetween said reservoir and said bypassing port means to accommodate acontinuous feed of water to said steam generating means, said steamgenerating means including steam dispersion ports leading to thepressing surface of said sole plate whereby the iron is renderedoperable for continuous emissionsteam ironing, and to a fourth positionestab- 17 lis'hing communication solely between said reservoir and saidvalved chamber in which position actuation of said ypump means effectsforced feed of water past the valve in said chamber and to said steamgenerating means whereby the iron is rendered operable for forciblecontrolled emission of steam for steam ironing, and control meansassociated with said valve and extending to the exterior ofthe iron toaccommodate manual setting of said valve in each of saidfour positions.

7. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, steamgenerating means of the flash vaporization type associated with saidsole plate, an electric heating element associated with said sole plateto heat the same and including a portion at least substantiallyencircling said steam generating means, a molded plastic housing andhandle assembly disposed above said sole plate, said assembly includingbottom, top and sidewalls all of molded plastic defining apressure-tight water reservoir, air pump means mounted insaid handle incommunication with said reservoir and operable to create an air pressurehead on the water in said reservoir, a water spray nozzle associatedwith said assembly and projecting from the forward end thereof, conduitmeans extending from said reservoir toward said sole plate andestablishing communication between said water reservoir, said spraynozzle and said steam generating means, a unitary valve mounted in saidconduit means and including a first port area within said reservoir anda second port area adjacent said sole plate, said valve in said firstport area thereof having ports therein selectively establishingcommunication between said water reservoir and said second port area andbetween said water reservoir and said spray nozzle and blocking oficommunication between said reservoir, said spray nozzle and said steamgenerating means, said conduit means between said steam generating meansand said second port area defining a valved chamber, said valve in thesecond port area. thereof having ports therein selectively establishing,upon establishmentof communication between said reservoir and saidsecond port area, communication solely between said reservoir and saidvalved chamber, said valve in the second port area thereof and saidconduit means including port means bypassing said valved chamber, saidvalve beingmovable to a first position blocking off communicationbetween said reservoir, said nozzle and said steam generating means toprevent flow of water and render the iron operable for dry ironing, to asecond position establishing communication exclusively between saidreservoir and said spray nozzle in which position actuation f said :airpump means effects dispersion of water from said reservoir through saidnozzle to render the iron operable for sprinkling ironing, to a thirdposition establishing communication between said reservoir and saidbypassing port means to accommodate a continuous feed of water to saidsteam generating means, said steam generating means including steamdispersion ports lead- :ing to the pressing surface of said sole platewhereby the iron is rendered operable for continuous emission steamironing, and to a fourth position establishing communication solelybetween said reservoir and said valved chamber in which positionactuation of said air pump means effects forced feed of water past thevalve in said chamber and to said steam generating means whereby theiron is rendered operable for forcible controlled emission of steam forsteam ironing, and control means associated with said valve andextending to the exterior of the iron to accommodate manual setting ofsaid valve in each of said four positions.

:8. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising ,a sole plate, anelectric heating element associated with said sole plate, means on theupper surface of said sole plate defining a steam chamber, passage meansin said sole plate establishing communication between said steam chamberand the ironing surface of said sole plate, a

waterreservoir above said sole plate, a valve housing in said reservoirdisposed generally in vertical alignment with said steam chamber andhaving a port therein communicating with said reservoir, a spray nozzleassembly extending from said reservoir to the exterior of the iron, saidassembly communicating with said valve housing, a tubular valverotatable in said valve housing, said valve having therein a first portestablishing communication between said reservoir and said spray nozzleassembly, a second port establishing communication between saidreservoir and said steam chamber, and Wall portions blocking off saidport in said valve housing, said valve being rotatable in said valvehousing to a first position blocking ofi said port in said valve housingto render the iron operable for dry ironing, to a second positionestablishing communication between said reservoir and said spray nozzleto render the iron operable for sprinkling ironing, and to a thirdposition establishing communication between said reservoir and saidsteam chamber to accommodate flow of water from said reservoir into saidsteam chamber and onto the heated sole plate :to be flashed to steamthus to render the iron operable for steam ironing, and a pumpassociated with said reservoir to effect forcible dispersion of waterfrom said reservoir through said spray nozzle in the said secondposition of said valve.

9. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, an electricheating element associated with said soleplate, means on the uppersurface of said sole plate defining a steam chamber, passage means insaid sole plate establishing communication between said steam chamberand the ironing surface of said sole plate, a water reservoir above saidsole plate, a valve housing in said reservoir disposed generally invertical alignment with said steam chamber and having a port thereincommunicating with said reservoir, aspray nozzle assembly extending fromsaid reservoir to the exterior of the iron, said assembly communicatingwith said valve housing, a tubular valve rotatable in said valvehousing, said valve havin therein a first port establishingcommunication betweensaid reservoir and said spray nozzleassembly, asecond port establishing communication between said reservoir and saidsteam chamber and wall portions blocking otf said port in said valvehousing, said valve extending between said reservoir and said steamchamber conducting water to said steam chamber, said valve beingrotatable in said valve housing to a first position blocking rod saidport in said valve housing to render the iron operable for dry ironing,to a second position establishing communication between said reservoirand said spray nozzle to render the iron operable for sprinkling ironingand to a third position establishing communication between saidreservoir and said steam chamber to accommodate flow of water from saidreservoir into said steam chamber and onto the heated sole plate to beflashed to steam thus to render the iron operable for steam ironing, apump associated with said reservoir to elfect forcible dispersion ofWater from said reservoir through said spray nozzle in the said secondposition of said valve, and a control member positioned between saidsole plate and said reservoir and including a portion extending beyondthe periphery of said reservoir for manual actuation, said controlmember being operatively associated with the portion of said valvebetween said steam chamber and said reservoir, whereby rotation of saidcontrol member edects rotation of said valve.

10. A multiple-purpose electric iron comprising a sole plate, anelectric heating element associated with said sole plate, means on theupper surface of said sole plate defining a steam chamber, passage meansin said sole plate establishing communication between said steam chamberand the ironing surface of said sole plate, a water reservoir above saidsole plate, a first valve housing in said reservoir disposed generallyin vertical alignment 19 with said steam chamber and having a porttherein communicating with said reservoir, a spray nozzle assemblyextending from said reservoir to the exterior of the iron, said assemblycommunicating with said first valve housing, a second valve housingmounted on said sole plate in axial alignment with said first valvehousing, a tubular valve rotatable in both of said valve housings andextending therebetween, said valve having a first port area within saidfirst valve housing and a second port area within said second valvehousing, said valve in the first port area thereof having a first portestablishing communication between said reservoir and said spray nozzleassembly, second and third ports establishing communication between saidreservoir and said second port area thereof, and wall portions blockingoff said port in said first valve housing, said valve in the second portarea thereof having a pair of ports and a bypass port, said second valvehousing having therein first passage means adapted to communicate withsaid pair of ports and second passage means adapted to establishcommunication between said bypass port and one of said pair of ports, athird valve housing mounted on said second valve housing and definingtherewith a chamber surrounding said valve, said first passage means insaid second port area of said valve communicating with said chamber, a

poppet valve closing said chamber, said poppet valve when openedaccommodating communication between said chamber and said steam chamberin said sole plate, said valve having a drip feed orifice thereincommunicating with said bypass port and opening directly into said steamchamber in said sole plate, said valve being rotatable in said valvehousings to a first position blocking off said port in said first valvehousing to render the iron operable for dry ironing and to a secondposition establishing communication betweensaid reservoir and said spraynozzle to render the iron operable for sprinkling ironing, said valvebeing rotatable to a third position establishing communication betweensaid reservoir and said second port in the first port area of said valveand between said one of said pair of ports in the second port area ofsaid valve and said second passage means in said second valve housing toaccommodate continuous flow of water through said bypass port and saidgrip feed orifice to said steam chamber, water dripping from saidorifice falling onto the heated sole plate and being flashed to steamtoaccumulate in said steam chamber, whereby the iron is rendered operablefor continuous emission steam ironing, said valve being rotatable to afourth position establishing communication between said reservoir andsaid third port in said first port area of said valve and between theother of said pair of ports in the second port area of said valve andsaid first passage means in said second valve housing to accommodateflow of water into the chamber defined by said second and third valvehousings, said chamber accumulating a predetermined charge of water,said poppet valve being opened upon exertion of predetermined waterpressure to accommodate discharge of said predetermined charge of waterfrom said chamber into said steam chamber and onto said sole plate, thecharge of water being flashed to steam upon contact with the heated soleplate to aiford forcible dispersion of a predetermined amount of steam,the poppet valve closing to accumulate another charge of water in saidchamber, whereby the iron is rendered operable for controlled forcibleemission steam ironing, and a pump associated with said reservoir toeffect forcible dispersion of water from said reservoir through saidspray nozzle in the said second position of said valve and to effectforcible ejection of water from said chamber in the said fourth positionof said valve.

11. A multiple purpose iron as set forth in claim 10, including acontrol disc positioned between said reservoir and said steam chamberand including portions extending laterally beyond the periphery of theiron, said disc being operatively associated against relative rotationwith the portion of said valve extending between said first and secondvalve housings, said disc being manually rotatable to position saidvalve in any one of the said four positions of the iron, said disc beingoperatively associated against 7 relative rotation with said controlmember, said disc being manually rotatable by means of the said portionsthereof to rotate said control member and control said water dispersingmeans.

13. A multiple purpose iron comprising an electrically heated soleplate, a water reservoir spaced above said sole plate, at'least one ofsaid sole plate and said reservoir including means accommodatingdispersion of water from said reservoir, control means between saidreservoir and said water dispersing means for controlling operation ofsaid water dispersing means, said control means including a rotatablecontrol member, a disc positioned between said sole plate and saidreservoir and including portions projecting beyond the periphery of theiron, said disc being operatively associated against relative rotationwith said control member, said disc being manually rotatable by means ofthe said portions thereof to rotate said control member and control saidwater dispersing means, and a spring effectively confined between saidsole plate and said disc to bias said disc into frictional engagementwith said reservoir frictionally to retain said disc and said controlmember in adjusted position.

14. A multiple purpose iron comprising an electrically heated controlplate, steam generator means associated .with said sole plate, a waterreservoir spaced above said sole plate, spray nozzle means associatedwith said reservoir, a control valve between said reservoir, said spraynozzle and said steam generating means for controlling communicationbetween said reservoir and said spray nozzle and between said reservoirand said steam generating means and for blocking oif communicationbetween said reservoir, said spray nozzle and said steam generatingmeans, said control valve including a rotatable valve portion extendingbetween said reservoir and said sole plate, and a disc positionedbetween said sole plate and said'reservoir and including portionsprojecting beyond the periphery of the iron, said disc being operativelyassociated against relative rotation with said valve portion, said discbeing manually rotatable by means of the said portions thereof to rotatesaid valve portion and control communication between said reservoir,said spray nozzle and said steam generating means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSMaykemper Apr. 6, 1954

